Ruben Amorim has said he is aware his job will be at risk if he fails to reverse Manchester United’s alarming slide and acknowledged supporters are “tired” of the team’s shortcomings. Amorim said he is very aware of the volatile state of management and is determined to thrive on the pressure.
The coach said he is not immune from danger because United paid €10m (£8.3m) to release him from his contract at Sporting in November and knows he must win to prevent scrutiny from building. Amorim’s successor at Sporting, João Pereira, was sacked this week after eight matches in charge.
Sign up to Football Daily. Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football. after newsletter promotion. United have lost five of their past seven matches in all competitions, including four of their past five in the Premier League. Defeat at Wolves on Boxing Day dropped them to 14th, eight points above the relegation zone and 11 off fourth-placed Arsenal, leading Amorim to dismiss United’s chances of qualifying for European football.
“The manager of Manchester United can never, no matter what, be comfortable, and I know the business that I’m in,” Amorim said. “I know that if we don’t win, regardless of if they paid the buyout [for me] or not, I know that every manager is in danger and I like that. I like that because that is the job. You can argue that I have been here one month and I’ve had four training [sessions], but we are not winning. That is the reality and I’m quite comfortable with that.”.
